Determining speed of orbiting object

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To determine the speed required for an object to orbit the Earth at its surface, the gravitational force acts as the centripetal force. The calculations show that using the formula GM/r = v², where G is the gravitational constant and M is the Earth's mass, results in a speed of approximately 7907.6 m/s or 8 km/s. The discussion highlights the misconception that the orbital period must match the Earth's rotation period, clarifying that an orbiting object can have a different period. It also emphasizes that gravitational acceleration is independent of mass, allowing for simplifications in calculations. Understanding these principles is crucial for solving orbital mechanics problems effectively.
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Homework Statement


The Earth has a radius of approximately 6400 km. If an object could orbit the Earth just at its surface, how fast would it have to travel?

Homework Equations


C = 2πr; ac=v2/r; Fc=mv2/r

The Attempt at a Solution


Circumference = 12800π. I tried to solve for the rate by d = r x t (86400s = 24 hours) but my answer is very small.
 
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brake4country said:
I tried to solve for the rate by d = r x t
So I suppose you used the time it takes the Earth to rotate (the time of 1 day). If so then what you calculated is actually the speed with which WE are moving relative to the center of Earth right now. But there's no reason an orbiting object should take the same time to complete one cycle. (If it did happen to take the same time, then we would feel weightless!)

brake4country said:

Homework Equations


Fc=mv2/r
This is the force that is required in order to travel in a circle of radius r at a speed of v
In the case of an object orbiting, what is the source of the centripetal force?
 
The source of the centripetal force is the gravitational force from the earth. But no mass was given!
 
brake4country said:
The source of the centripetal force is the gravitational force from the earth. But no mass was given!
Hmm... Does gravitational acceleration depend on mass?
brake4country said:
ac=v2/r
 
Oh, I see: Fg=Fc
GMm/r2 = mv2/r
GM/r = v2
(6.67x10^-11)(6x10^24)/(6.4x10^6) = 7907.6 m/s or 8 km/s
 
brake4country said:
Oh, I see: Fg=Fc
GMm/r2 = mv2/r
GM/r = v2
(6.67x10^-11)(6x10^24)/(6.4x10^6) = 7907.6 m/s or 8 km/s

To answer your question, gravitational acceleration of objects does not depend on mass but I needed the mass of the Earth to calculate this one. The problem did not give it. Am I to know the mass of the earth?
 
Hmmm. I just realized that I could have just used mg = mv2/r since the orbital is very close to the surface. Blah!
 
brake4country said:
Hmmm. I just realized that I could have just used mg = mv2/r since the orbital is very close to the surface. Blah!
Right. :)

I had the same thought, "if they tell you the radius of Earth, they ought to tell you the mass also!" but then I soon realized that you can just use g=9.8 o0)
 
Treat the orbiting mass as negligible (which it is, compared to the earth)
Have a look at the attached sheet.
 

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